The Mattress Expert

Shoulder pain, Kingsdown mattress

ZACK of Boston, writes:
Hello,
I bought a Kingsdown pillowtop mattress in June from. I had previously been sleeping on a crappy, cheap, model I had bought 2 years ago. The new pillowtop was a tad uncomfortable, but the last months it's been awful. Both of my shoulders are killing me now and I wake up every morning hurting. My shoulders hurt for the first half of each day now. I also have an awful time trying to get to sleep. I am also 6 feet 205 lbs if that matters. Can you help? Would a mattress topper help? Is the softness/hardness causing my shoulder pain? Thanks.

Hi Zack. If I had to guess at it, I’d say that the major cause is the boxspring. Kingsdown uses a very soft boxspring. You can test this by laying the mattress on the floor for a couple of nights. If that helps, a piece of ¾” plywood between the mattress and the boxspring might be all you need. Try that and let me know how you’re feeling. It may be more than just that, but this is a cost free way to test what’s going on with you and the mattress.

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We are in the market for a new bed

Karen of Somerville, AL, writes:
We are in the market for a new bed set- can you help point us in the right direction?
My husband (43) has bad acid reflux, requiring his bed to have a raised head. He also has a painful condition called "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome," which restricts nerves & blood vessels in his shoulder, which prevents him from sleeping on his back. It's VERY difficult for him to get comfortable, and both are getting more problematic as he gets older.
Currently, he has built a permanently inclined frame that is raised 8" at the head- a straight slope from head to toe. I can't sleep on the incline, and my restless sleep movements wake him and then he has insomnia. : P We have nice bedroom furniture including a California King bed frame, and aren't using it at all due to the complications!
We want to buy a California King set that has the split box springs AND split mattress- it looks like we can buy sheets, but I'm having trouble finding such mattresses on line. Sealy Posturepedic mattresses in a hotel recently were very comfortable except for his reflux... ideas?
Also, we WANT to have the bed flat sometimes (we ARE married...)and be able to incline his side as needed. Due to his shoulder condition, an adjustable bed that inclines from the waist up will NOT work. Have tou ever heard of such a device? We appreciate any advice- you look very knowledgeable! Thank you!!

Hi Karen. Tough situation.
California King doesn't come with a split mattress. 2 twin extra long sets would make up a standard king and your headboard could easily be made to fit a standard king frame.
But none of that solves your bigger problem. There's nothing that I know of, that will angle his side up and down.

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A mattress for shoulder pain

Shane of Cheyenne, writes:
Hi, I have been sleeping on a king koil bed that I purchased for about 700 dollars. I have had shoulder surgery about 6 years ago. My bed was good at first but now it is totaly sunk in the center. I wake up all the time in the middle of the night with my arms and hands totaly numb. I have looked at sealy and serta and simmons. My biggest concern is my shoulder and arms. After laying on these diffrent mattresses I thought the Simmons Beauty was the best feel Its the Evonne Firm super pillow to visco foam. I'm confused with what would be the best. I have slept on a Sealy Pouster Premier Oakmount pillow top and like it however I haven't sleept on it for a long time, but only for a couple of days while visiting my parents. I am 5'5 and 220lbs what would be the best for me?

Hi Shane. The Sealy Posture Premier is a good choice for a spare room, but won't hold up to every night use...especially under a 200 pounder. The Beautyrest is very comfortable, but not terribly long lasting for the money. A latex mattress is the most durable and shouldn't cost much more than the Beautyrest. See is you can find the Sealy SpringFree plush or ultra plush. We have them as the Beachside and River Crest, but model names may differ. Those beds will contour, like the Beautyrest, but last a whole lot longer.

Delivery available everywhere in the contiental US.
NO SALES TAX outside of NJ.
You'll find discount pricing on our website: www.ccmattress.com
Toll Free phone number: 1-888-732-5923
Voted "Best Mattress Store in New Jersey"
Philadelphia Inquirer's "Neighbor's Choice Award"

Also available:
Latex Toppers...100% Talalay...US made.
Sealy "SpringFree" Latex Pillows....
Sealy "Pro-Guard" Protection Plus Stain Guard Mattress Pads
Very High quality sheets and comforters

Simmons Beautyrest Black Florence mattress

Pam of Bay Area, writes:
My husband and I have been sleeping on our new mattress for about a month now. We have a Beautyrest Black Florence mattress (it has a pillowtop with memory foam and latex layer and the springs are "triple" wire style). The first few weeks it wasn't that comfortable, but now I fall right asleep and get a great nights rest. Also my husband loves it. However, now I am waking up with my middle back feeling real stiff for about an hour. My profession, dental hygienist, has me out of alignment all day. I also have a shoulder problem that through the years acts up (sitff, sore, cracks etc.). Now it is really bothering me in the morning when I wake up. I'm not sure if the mattress is just putting my back into the correct position and my aches and pains are a result of that or if I am just sleeping so "still" through the night that is causing the problem? Or is it that the mattress with its "triple" spring design is too rigid? We still have a little over a month before our 90 day grace period is up. Any suggestions?

Hi Pam. The time for the pain from being re-aligned on a new mattress has passed. Mid to upper back pain is an indication that the mattress is too soft....and pillowtops usually are. The other complicating factor is the memory foam. Memory foam breaks down easily and loses some of its resiliency within a very short time. The Black Series is Simmons' strongest unit.  It's less likely that the coil unit is the problem.

Delivery available everywhere in the contiental US.
NO SALES TAX outside of NJ.
You'll find discount pricing on our website: www.ccmattress.com
Voted "Best Mattress Store in New Jersey"
"2007 - 2008 Neighbor's Choice Award"

Also available:
Latex Toppers...100% Talalay...US made.
Sealy "SpringFree" Latex Pillows....
Sealy "Pro-Guard" Protection Plus Stain Guard Mattress Pads
Very High quality sheets and comforters

I really need help on a mattress problem

Karen of Perry, GA, writes:
Thank you so much for this blog. I really need help on a mattress problem, and have no where else to turn. What a service you provide! I am 5'9" and 135 lbs, fairly slim. My husband is 5'9" and 240 lbs. He has very broad shoulders and wears a 52" jacket, but is narrow in the waist.  I need lumbar support, and have always preferred a firm mattress with coil springs. I always figured that if I wanted a bit more padding I can add my own foam topper. He wants a softer feel so his shoulders don't ache when he sleeps on his side. (He snores on his back.) He has crushed the springs in every mattress we have ever bought. Even the box springs sag under the heavy weight of his shoulders. With our current mattress (a beautyrest), I got wise and we flip it top to bottom only. That way my side at least was not so quick to sag. However this mattress is worn out now, my back hurts and I have no idea what to do. About 7 years ago we tried a latex mattress. With this mattress you could swap out the cores to get the firmness you prefer. My lumbar was never happy with the latex, no matter how firm or soft, so we returned it. We have tried memory foam, but can't tolerate the heat and the sinking in feeling.  We are considering an adjustable air bed. My concern wth the air bed is the equal pressure everywhere doesn't seem like it will provide lumbar support.  We are also considering a Spring Free mattress - does the latex really give good lumbar support?  Have you had other customers with this situation? Please tell me what worked for them, as I am not sure how to get a good night sleep.  Thank you again so much.

Hi Karen. A pair of problem children, I see. It's tough enough, trying to fit someone who's disproprtionate in shape, but then to add the a second person with opposing needs...well, it just makes it difficult.
The best way around all these problems is to get him off his side and onto his back. There isn't a mattress made that will be soft enough for his shoulders and be firm enough for you. As a back sleeper, he wouldn't need as soft a mattress. The problem is the snoring. If the head of the bed is angled a little, he'll breathe easier. You can either raise the head section by blocking it up, or get an adjustable bed. Also, and I can tell you from personal experience, that those opaque ear plugs they sell at CVS work really well.
Your experience with latex tells me that you'd be better off with an interlocked innerspring. (This is for you, with him on his back). The Stearns & Foster Caravelle, with a 2" latex topper will do three things....accomodate your need for support, add enough comfort for you to sleep deeply and hold up well under his weight.
Raising the head of the bed a little will cut down on his snoring. The ear plugs will block out the rest of it.

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Will bruise on a mattress that is too firm

Jodi of Birmingham, writes:
Hi! And thanks for having such a helpful blog. I have bony hips and shoulders and will actually bruise on a mattress that is too firm. Because of that my husband and I bought a Simmons pillow top (the Cindy Crawford line). I don't have the problem with pressure points, but after 2 years, the lump in the middle is becoming a mountain. After a stay at the Ritz Carlton, I wondered if a firmer mattress with a feather topper was the answer. Can you provide any insight? Thanks!

Hi Jodi. You don't say what size you have, but what you describe is common for a king size. The standard king is square enough to rotate 1/4 turn, which should be rotated every month. It will insure a more even settling of the padding. The feather topper is an excellent choice for those with sensitive bodies.

www.ccmattress.com

Sealy "SpringFree" Latex Pillows and Sealy "Pro-Guard" Protection Plus Mattress Pads,
are delivered Free via US Mail anywhere within the continental US.

Simmons Beautyrest Classic "Felicia Ltd." Mattress

Fidel P of San Antonio, writes:
Hello, I have a question for you my wife and I purchased a KING Simmons Beautyrest Classic "Felicia Ltd." Firm Mattress Set form Macys. The for 2 months were great! I have never sleeped so sound and never once had back pain like my old mattress. Suddenly, I noticed in the morning terrible shoulder pain in both shoulders, more pain in 1 shoulder than the other mostly the shoulder I slept on the most that night. I am terribly confused with this mattress. I have noticed slight dips on the mattress where we sleep. I have rotated the mattress and still having shoulder pain. What can i do? Do i have a bad mattress? Am I the problem? Is this common? I really enjoyed the first 2 months of sleep, please advise. Thanks for your time. Have a great day -Fidel

Hello Fidel. What you're experiencing is common. It's not right that it doesn't hold it's shape better, but common. The Classic Beautyrest, in particular, is something of an on going problem. Those individually pocketed coils aren't made of tempered steel. Untempered steel looses its resiliency reasonably quickly. Once the sustained body impression reaches 1.5" in depth, you'll be able to file a complaint. Until then, rotate it 1/4 turn frequently.

www.ccmattress.com

Sealy "SpringFree" Latex Pillows and Sealy "Pro-Guard" Protection Plus Mattress Pads,
are delivered Free via US Mail anywhere within the continental US.

Serta Serene Dreams mattress

Bradi of syracuse, ut, writes:
I have been having back problems for years and my last mattress, though extra firm in the beginning, was killing me. I have constant left shoulder pain and now I have lower left back pain, caused by my mattress. Unfortunately, I though a new mattress would solve the problem. The salesman guided me to a Serta Serene Dreams mattress, saying it would relieve the pressure and eliminate my back pain. I HATE IT. It sags worse than my old mattress, lifting that left shoulder up and causing more pain. I feel like I constantly need to force my shoulder back to get it level with the rest of my body. It also seems to trap the heat that my dear husband/furnace produces. From reading your blog this does not sound normal for most "latex" mattresses. Only now did I find out that it is only 6" of latex. Talk about misrepresenting a product. I plan on exchanging it. Please help direct me to something better. I am 5'5" and 150 lbs. My hubby is 5'9" and 175. He did get lower back pain with our last saggy mattress but seems to snore just fine on this one. FYI - We paid $1700 for the mattress and $100 for the mattress protector.

Hi Bradi. You know that the mattress needs to give better with your shoulder. keep in mind that your hip has to sink enough to keep your spine level. I don't know what that store has to offer. We believe that your best choices are from Sealy and Stearns & Foster. That isn't to say that you can't buy a good mattress from another brand. Listen to what your body tells you as you try them. Don't let yourself be sold. Keep it simple and basic. If you can't trust the advice of the salesperson, trust your instincts.

www.ccmattress.com

Sealy "SpringFree" Latex Pillows and Sealy "Pro-Guard" Protection Plus Mattress Pads,
are delivered Free via US Mail anywhere within the continental US.

A topper for shoulder pain

Tim of San Diego, writes:
Hello Peter,I have developed shoulder pain over a period of months which has recently increased in severity.  Most of the doctors have not been of much help (general practitioner gave me drugs and chiropractor only gave temporary relief).  But an accupunturist suggested changing my pillow (which is very flat) and getting a less firm bed so the shoulder can push into the mattress further and stay in a more natural position.  He suggested when I sleep on my side (which I do) that the shoulder is being pushed forward and into an awkwark position.  I took his advice and got a thicker pillow but am not sure what bed to get.  I currently have a queen bed that is coiled and firm and does not have a plush top.  I sleep alone accept when my girfriend visits on the weekends.  I am 39 years old, 6 feet tall, and 185 lbs. -  Would adding a topper to the existing bed help?  What would be a good choice for my situation?-  If I buy a new bed should it be latex or coiled and what specific bed would you recommend?-  Is there an ideal way to push two twins or twin xl's together so my girlfriend and I can have different firmness and disturb each other less but still be close?-  In general, how do I identify a quality mattress?  I have seen mattresses at IKEA but wonder about the quality. Thanks for your time and insights!Tim

Hi Tim. When I think of IKEA, I think college student...young couple with lots to buy and not much money. A quality mattress isn't my first thought...or second, for that matter. If the mattress you have is simply too firm, then adding a latex topper is a good solution. www.foambymail.com has the lowest prices for latex toppers. 2 or 3 inches with an ILD rating of 20 will be very comfortable. I've seen at Bed Bath and Beyond, a strap system which includes a "v" shaped piece of foam for the purpose of making 2 twins look and feel like one mattress. The purchase of a pillow should come after the mattress purchase. If you now purchase a mattress that is softer or add the topper, which will allow your shoulder to sink more, the thicker pillow may then be too thick. But your accupunturist is correct when he tells you it's all about the alignment.

www.ccmattress.com

Sealy "SpringFree" Latex Pillows and Sealy "Pro-Guard" Protection Plus Mattress Pads,
are delivered Free via US Mail anywhere within the continental US.

A good mattress for two side sleepers

Julie of hunington beach, CA, writes:
Hi Pete!I wish I found your blog before I went out and spent a bunch of money on not 1, but 2 terrible mattresses! I went to Macy's (first big mistake as they are an awful company) and bought a Simmons Ashton plush mattress with visco ($2800)...I slept on it for 1 month and woke up in the middle of the night crying 50% of the time because it was so uncomfortable. Needless to say I got a refund/returned it and didn't go back to Macy's.  For the second mattress I went to a local mattress store and bought a Spring Air Four Seasons Opulent with a pillow top (basically I went from one extreme to another hoping to solve the problem). I have had Spring Air mattresses in the past and have loved them, so that's why I went with it again, however I couldn't hate this mattress more...Like so many people say, it's comfy in the store but when you sleep on it for 8 hours it's a totally different story... Oh and one more thing, my soon to be husband is 6'9" and about 260 lbs, while I am 5'6" and about 155, so when we sleep on the marshmallow that is the Spring Air mattress I am constantly rolling into the valley that he creates. And not to mention that everytime he moves I feel like there's an earthquake.  Sorry to rant, it's just been a long 3 months of trying to find the right mattress. So now for my question, is there any mattress out there that you can recommend that is good for 2 side sleepers (one that moves around all night, the other being a light sleeper), that is soft enough for me so I don't wake up with shoulder and neck pain in the morning yet firm enough to support the weight of my fiance?  Thanks a lot!

Hi Julie. I'm surprised by what you say. I find Macy's service to be quite good....not fast, but liberal. That you were able to return it for a refund, speaks well for Macy's. That you spent too much for a mattress of questionable quality, is not surprising, but is something that can happen at any retailer. My guess is, with this second retailer, you'll have to switch what you have for something they carry. If they have a latex mattress, that will do the best job of 1) holding up under a big man, 2) reduce motion transfer, and 3) allow you to sleep comfortably without rolling together.

www.ccmattress.com

Sealy "SpringFree" Latex Pillows and Sealy "Pro-Guard" Protection Plus Mattress Pads,
are delivered Free via US Mail anywhere within the continental US.